Dominic Smith Hits Walk-Off Grand Slam in Braves Debut After Mother's Death

Veteran DH honors late mother with historic home run in emotional Atlanta win.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:54pm

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In his debut for the Atlanta Braves, veteran designated hitter Dominic Smith felt the presence of his late mother as he celebrated his walk-off grand slam in a 6-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. Less than two weeks after losing his mother to cancer, Smith became the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam in his debut with a new team.

Why it matters

Smith's emotional home run and debut with the Braves comes at a difficult time, as he continues to grieve the recent loss of his mother. The outpouring of support from his new teammates has helped him through this challenging period.

The details

With the Braves trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the 9th, Smith stepped up to the plate and launched a grand slam to give Atlanta the win. Smith admitted he was "trying to hold back tears" during the celebration, as he felt his mother's presence. The fan who caught the historic home run ball returned it to Smith after learning about his mother's passing.

  • Smith's mother was diagnosed with cancer in September 2025.
  • Smith was away from the team for over a week in March 2026 after his mother had a "scare" during spring training.
  • Smith's mother passed away in California in March 2026, shortly before his Braves debut.

The players

Dominic Smith

A veteran designated hitter who made the Atlanta Braves' Opening Day roster just days after the death of his mother from cancer.

Atlanta Braves

The Major League Baseball team that signed Dominic Smith and supported him through the recent loss of his mother.

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What they’re saying

“You know, I'm trying to hold back tears now. I feel her every day. I miss her dearly. It's not a moment I don't think about her. And like I said, I'm just so thankful because this team knows what I'm going through. So they really, you know, picked me up the last few weeks.”

— Dominic Smith, Braves Designated Hitter

“This team is just so awesome. I'm so blessed because of the love they showed me, the support every day. They're asking about her, asking about her well-being, my well-being, and that's all they really cared about. They didn't care about baseball.”

— Dominic Smith, Braves Designated Hitter

What’s next

Smith will get to return to the West Coast next week during the Braves' road trip to Anaheim, California, where he plans to visit family and say his "goodbyes" during the trip.

The takeaway

Dominic Smith's emotional home run in his Braves debut, coming just weeks after the tragic loss of his mother, is a powerful reminder of the human side of professional sports. His new teammates' unwavering support has helped Smith through this difficult time, showing the importance of empathy and compassion in sports.